Malware

What is Malware?

Malware is a program (part of the larger classification including Trojans and Scareware), designed to be user installed and appear as legitimate applications. But these applications also contain code designed to infect (alter) the users system in unintended ways, send data without you knowledge to others, and act as back doors for other software and viruses.

Where does it come from?
Malware can come as attachments and links in emails, from removable media, and from unsuspecting co-workers on DVD. They can be hidden from normal view via a root kit, be presented as a desirable file attachment in an email (Trojan), or be downloaded in the background from an infected web site (Anti-Virus software).

What is the Risk?
Malware can steal, alter or destroy information; disable anti-virus protection; cause network slow downs; and interrupt sensitive corporate communications placing the network at risk.

Protective Measures:

To help you better understand the risk or Malware, let look at an example of how hackers might entice you to install their malware code on your system.  The following short example video is from Sophos Security and demonstrates and real-world example of how this is occurring. 

Safety Tips:

1.  Check your Anti-Virus signature successfully update no less than weekly.

2.  Run a full system scan no less than weekly.  To reduce system impact, schedule it during times the system will be on but you do not normally use for heavy processing tasks.
 
3.  Configure your Anti-virus to scan any new file (emails, DVD’s, etc…) prior to opening.

4.  If your Anti-virus locates malware during its scheduled scans, contact your anti-virus vender to obtain assistance on proper removal.